Kamaru Usman praises Chimaev, but is also considering retirement

• UFC

The great Nigerian Kamaru Usman will face his fifth welterweight title defense this weekend. Usman has knocked out Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal this year, and the very active champion will have a rematch with Colby Covington in the early hours of Sunday.

The duo played their first match in December 2019, and Usman celebrated with a stoppage 50 seconds before the end of the fantastic fight. Although Covington offered great resistance and Usman is certainly facing an extremely difficult match, the attention of the public and the media is increasingly turned to Khamzat Chimaev.

A Chechen fighter with a Swedish passport literally played with Li Jingliang last weekend and many believe it is only a matter of time before he fights for the welterweight belt. Kamaru Usman also did not remain indifferent to Khamzat’s performances.

'' First and foremost, he did a huge job with the opponents they gave him. There is no shame in that. He's doing great. I like and love all the ‘hype’ around him." "Let’s be honest, life isn’t fair, that’s what we are taught as children.

I know some guys get a faster and stronger push and some don’t. It is, as it is." "More power for him. He’s doing a phenomenal job with the position they put him in. I take my hat off" the Nigerian said during a press conference, and then referred to a potential match against Chimaev.

'' As for the fight between him and me, you know, I'm in a phase of life where I realize how much all this is taking away from you. I was separated from my daughter for nine weeks" "FaceTime helps, but not like being with her every day.

So obviously I’m not sure how much longer I want to deal with this. They have to give me something meaningful. If he (Chimaev) manages to reach the top, then we will talk about it. "

Peak

Usman seems to be thinking more and more about retirement.

The 34-year-old Nigerian is a supporter of going at the peak of his career. '' I want to go in my time, like Khabib. I know many dispute this and tell you a lot about Khabib’s departure, even though he left when he wanted to." "That's how you do it.

Even Georges St-Pierre went that way. You leave when you want. You don’t let sports calm you down. So when I feel that the time has come, I will retire, '' Kamarz explains. '' Let's be honest, I've done everything that can be done in MMA and the UFC.

I’m at a PPV event in Madison Square Garden this Saturday, what could be bigger than that? I have led PPV events before." "What do I have left to do in this sport? I achieved everything. I want to do things that no one has done before. These guys don't scare me anymore, '' the UFC welterweight champion added.